Creating a Drop Shadow Frame

A friend of our page posted this the other day:

I figured it would have been too confusing (as if this wasn’t) to describe it on Facebook so so decided to write up a quick tutorial. I have to first say that there are many ways to do this. This is simply one of them.

Here are the steps to create the sample that Paul had requested. This was created using Photoshop. I hope this works Paul!

1. To create a framed masthead image, we need to first decide how big the masthead image will become. In our example, we’ll simply use 850 pixels as a starting point for our images.
2. Once you have the image sized, now let’s create your frame. Duplicate the layer.
3. Resize the canvas by 50 pixels in both directions. Image>Canvas Size
4. Create a new layer and name it. In our example, I’ll call it Frame.
5. Once created, turn the layer off and make the Background Layer the active layer.
6. Select the Magic Wand and select the area “outside” the image. This will select the white border around your image.
7. Now activate the Frame layer.
8. Now press Select>Inverse and Delete. This will select the area where the image will be placed and deleting a frame to show the image below.
9. Now would be a good time to Save your file. Save it as a PSD so it preserves ALL the layers.
10. You can now delete the layer called Background. We only used that as a reference layer anyway.
11. I always try to make it easy for anyone getting my PSD files so I renamed the Background to “Insert Images Above”. This allows someone to know where exactly to place the images. Remember, this is merely a template.
12. Now, it’s time for us to create the drop shadow.
13. Duplicate the Frame layer.
14. Select it with the Magic Wand and Fill it with Black and move the layer called Frame copy to the middle of the other two layers.
15. While the Frame copy layer is selected, choose Filter>Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 10 pixels. Click OK.
16. You probably noticed that you now have a shadow behind the frame. Next, we’ll warp it to your liking.
17. Select the Frame copy layer then Edit>Transform>Warp
18. This is where it requires a bit of finessing. Carefully, use the control points to “warp” the shadows to where you want them to be located. This might take a bit of getting used to so be patient. Once satisfied, click OK.
19. With the Frame copy layer still selected, let’s delete the blur within the frame by defining a marquee within the white frame and deleting the selection. This should clean things up.
20. Now go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and this time enter 2 pixels. Click OK. Repeat once more.
21. Now save your file.
22. Congratulations, you’ve just created a custom masthead frame with a drop shadow.
23. If you are using it with a white background on your site, you can save it as a JPG file. If you have a different color or a pattern, save it as a PNG file to preserve the transparencies.

Screen capture after Step 2:

Screen capture after Step 6:

Screen capture after Step 14:

Screen capture after Step 16:

This is your final product after following all of the steps I’ve described above. The warping stage will take a bit of time to get right but don’t give up. You’ll soon get it.